Three-Door Entry-Level Hatch Mazda2 Dropped in Australia

The new Mazda2 range won't include the three-door entry-level anymore in Australia as the Japanese company revises its entire range and adds new features as standard. According to drive.com.au, the most affordable model will be replaced by a compact four-door configuration but prices might be increased a little bit.

The upgraded Mazda2 range is slated to arrive in local dealerships in May but prices are yet to be disclosed.

However, we do know that six airbags and stability control might be offered as standard across the entire range. Alloy wheels could be also available across the range for all models.

“Having listened to customer feedback and studied the light segment very closely, we believe that the new Mazda2 sedan offers the potential to engage with a whole new set of customers,” says Mazda Australia marketing manager, Alastair Doak, according to the aforementioned source.

Mazda is also trying a different approach in the United States where it will launch this particular model sooner than initially planned. The US-bound Mazda2 will thus be launched in early summer, rather than in late summer as the company initially intended to.

In the US, the car will be powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder powerplant, specifically optimized for return reduced fuel consumption and emission figures.

"Mazda2 will be the most fuel-efficient car in our showroom, and the most fuel-efficient car ever sold in North America by Mazda," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations, according to AP. "It is everything that the other cars in our lineups are, just in a more focused package."